The new venture, Hi, Panda, is a strategic partnership between the Chengdu Panda Base and Baofeng New Culture Co Ltd.
The Hi, Panda VR theme park is set to open in 2018. Its object is to offer real-time interactive experiences with giant pandas.
Guests will simply strap on a virtual reality headset and can then become part of the pandas’ regular lives. They can simply watch the animals going about their everyday activities – climbing trees, eating, sleeping. Or they will be able to play games with them in a virtual environment.
The park has been developed by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (also known simply as Chengdu Panda Base), in association with Baofeng New Culture Co Ltd.
“We aim to develop a VR/AR experience centre that combines VR videos, live streaming, games, online courses and other spin-offs,” said Zhang Zhihe, Head of the Centre.
“The aim is to make giant pandas a super IP (intellectual property) in the world.”
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is located in Chengdu, Sichuan. It’s a non-profit research and breeding facility for giant pandas and other rare animals. It was founded in 1987 with just six giant pandas rescued from the wild. It is now home to 175 of the popular mammals.
The centre attracts around four million visitors per year. 80 percent of tourists come from outside Sichuan province.
Now panda fans can either visit the breeding centre in person, or simply go online to interact with pandas.
Baofeng New Culture Co Ltd is part of the Baofeng Group Co Ltd, a Beijing-based internet entertainment and video company. Baofeng New Culture was established to expand the company’s business in culture, tourism and virtual reality.
Images courtesy of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
https://www.shanghaidaily.com/nation/Virtual-reality-at-latest-park-for-pandas/shdaily.shtml
